IDEA: If we will crave God as some other people crave money, we can be content.

TEXT: "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s" (Exodus 20:17).

"You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s" (Deuteronomy 5:21).

PURPOSE: To help listeners appreciate how a love for money operates against a love for God.

Have you ever felt that what is preached on Sunday morning is totally out of sync with Monday’s world? If you feel that way, why?

I. Some things in the Bible sound like a platitude and not like a realistic description.

It sometimes sounds as if we’re saying "Be healthy," but without giving a realistic remedy to provide health.

We may feel that when we come to Hebrews 13:5-6: "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?' "

II. The Hebrews 13 passage may seem more pious than practical.

It says, "Be content with such things as you have." Is that realistic?

The writer provides two reasons for this contentment.

We should be free from covetousness. The word used here means "to love silver," meaning when you love something, you open yourself to it. You want more and more of it.

Imagine a circle expanding so that you can never be content because acquiring promises fulfillment. This desire works against contentment.

We should recognize the commitment that God has made to those who commit themselves to Him. If you will find your satisfaction in trust and dependence on God, it will allow you to be content. The two promises are saying "You can count on that!"